How to Prioritize Wellness While Traveling, According to 4 Philly Health Pros

Leaving Philly for some R&R is great, but where does that leave your wellness routines? We asked local experts how to stay healthy on the road.

How to Maintain Your Workouts

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According to Jon Lyons, We/Fit director at City Fitness, the key to staying motivated is planning: “Pick a specific time, and plan a specific workout. When that alarm goes off, drop everything and commit.” Save a workout routine on your phone, and take advantage of bodyweight exercises. (Think push-ups, squats and burpees.) And remember that you don’t have to hole up in a hotel gym to get in a good workout. Ask the front desk or your host for a scenic running or walking route.

How to Keep Your Skin Looking Good

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Forget about packing your entire product arsenal. Lynn Gallagher, skin therapist at Heyday in Rittenhouse, says to stick to the essentials, like a good cleanser, SPF, a serum and a moisturizer. Just make sure the products you bring are appropriate for where you’re heading: “Up your SPF if you know you’ll be exposed to sun, or bring an oil-based balm if you’ll be in a colder place,” says Gallagher. Other tips? At all costs, avoid going to bed with makeup on, and reduce puffiness by wrapping ice in a washcloth and gently massaging your face.

How to Indulge Without the Guilt

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To help you avoid completely crashing your diet while traveling, Adjua Fisher, certified health coach, co-owner of Reap Wellness, and former Philly Mag editor, recommends packing easy-to-store snacks like oranges, pumpkin seeds, carrots with hummus or peanut butter, and make-ahead grain salads. For the duration of your stay, “Commit to filling half of your plate with veggies for at least one meal each day,” she says. This helps maintain your gut health without restricting you from enjoying the indulgent stuff.

How to Truly Relax

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Travel is an escape, unless you’re: a) constantly checking work emails; or b) stressing about how to maximize each day. To be present, Center City-based therapist Alanna Gardner advises creating boundaries. “Something as simple as turning off notifications can make you less anxious while you’re away,” she says. And if you simply must know what’s going on? “Schedule one work check-in time.” Gardner also recommends mindfulness apps like Headspace or Insight, which can help you bring those chilled-out vacation vibes home.

Published as “Wander Well” in the March 2020 issue of Philadelphia magazine.